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About the PR Committee

Annual Reports of the Public Relations Committee

1981-1982

The Public Relations Committee concentrated its efforts this year on the development of the new AALL brochure, AALL . . . Your Key to Legal Information Specialists, as a public relations vehicle. . In August 1981, the final composition of the brochure was done, and 25,000 copies were printed for a total cost of $1,892.50. The brochure was used first when it was distributed on behalf of the Committee by the Section of Legal Economics at the ABA meeting New Orleans. Subsequently, the brochure was sent to various other organizations, including all chapters and numerous committees of AALL, public law libraries, private law firm libraries, and commercial law book publishers; it has also been distributed at several state and local bar meetings and at a meeting of a group of judges.

At the request of the Committee, the Private Law Libraries SIS developed a mailing list of law firms with five to forty attorneys to which the brochure could be sent. In March 1982, headquarters used this list to undertake a mailing of 8,400 brochures. This first national mailing was conducted in conjunction with the Committee's overall goal of promoting the profession and the Association.

During this year, the Committee also began the development of a public relations manual which will be used to assist in defining and structuring the public relations effort on the national and local level. The essential chapters will include a discussion of the use and value of public relations; the goals and objectives of a public relations program in relation to the profession and the Association; the format and structure (including definitions) of the responsibilities of a public relations committee and the role of the chapters; aspects of planning and evaluating the program; and techniques for implementing the program. Several chapters have been drafted; however, this project will have to be completed by the next Committee.

Several other activities, some of which in final form may be incorporated into the public relations manual, were undertaken by the Committee. For example, in an attempt to structure and coordinate the public relations effort, the Committee complied several lists and calendars which can be used by future committees. These items include a list of publications with deadlines by which all press releases should be sent and a calendar of meetings at which the Association should be represented.

The Committee also has issued press releases relating to the 1981 and 1982 Annual Meetings, the change of officers, the appointment of the Executive Director, and the issuance of the Joseph L. Andrew Bibliographical Award.

At the final meeting in Detroit, the 1981/82 Committee will develop guidelines for the use of the AALL brochure. It also will discuss and make suggestions to the Association on the roles of the Executive Director and the Committee in the public relations process.

"AALL Reports of Chapters, Special Interest Sections, Committees and Representatives 1981-82", 75 Law Library Journal 448, 466.

1981-1982 Committee Members

Donald G. Ziegenfuss, Chair
Robin B. Anderson
Pat Dolan
Kathryn Fabirizio
Kathleen M. Flynn
Sharon Hamby
Judy Keegan
Patricia Keller
Virginia Kelsh
Alice Murray
Joyce Saltalamchia
Arthur S. Zanan
Francis Gates, Board Liaison

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Last Updated: December 11, 2002

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